Plasma Betatrophin Levels and Carotid Atherosclerosis. (13th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niki, Hanako; Kishimoto, Yoshimi; Saita, Emi; Ohmori, Reiko; Kondo, Kazuo; Momiyama, Yukihiko
• Other Names: Harangi Mariann Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Disease markers. Volume 2019(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10-13
• Subjects: Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Biochemical markers -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1155/2019/4214650
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-0240

Abstract

Abstract : Aims. Betatrophin is a recently identified circulating adipokine that may affect lipid and glucose metabolism. However, the association between plasma betatrophin levels and carotid atherosclerosis has not been elucidated. Methods. We investigated plasma betatrophin levels in 153 subjects undergoing carotid ultrasonography. The severity of plaque was evaluated as plaque score. Results. Of the 153 subjects, plaque was found in 63 (41%). Plasma betatrophin levels were higher in 63 subjects with plaque than in 90 without plaque (median 906 vs. 729 pg/mL, P < 0.025 ). A stepwise increase in betatrophin levels was found depending on the plaque score: 729 pg/mL inscore = 0 (n = 90 ), 802 pg/mL inscore = 1 (n = 31 ), and 978 pg/mL inscore ≥ 2 (n = 32 ) (P < 0.01 ). In particular, betatrophin levels in subjects withscore ≥ 2 were higher than in those withscore = 0 (P < 0.05 ). Moreover, betatrophin levels correlated with plaque score (r = 0.23, P < 0.01 ), but no significant correlation was found between betatrophin levels and triglyceride or HbA1c levels. The percentage of subjects withbetatrophin > 800 pg / mL was higher in subjects with plaque than in those without plaque (65% vs. 44%) and was highest inscore ≥ 2 (78%) (P < 0.005 ). In the multivariate analysis, betatrophin level was not a significant factor for the presence of plaque but was a significant factor for plaquescore ≥ 2, independent of atherosclerotic risk factors. The odds ratio forscore ≥ 2 was 4.9 (95%CI = 1.9 -12.8) forbetatrophin > 800 pg / mL . Conclusions. Plasma betatrophin levels were found to be high in subjects with carotid plaque and to be associated with the severity of plaque. Betatrophin may play a role in the progression of carotid atherosclerosis.